The Chancellor is being urged to reverse her devastating decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
The National Pensioners’ Convention is calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reconsider her shock decision to end ‘universal’ winter fuel payments.
NPC General Secretary Jan Short said: “This is devastating news for millions of older people whose income is literally just a few pounds above the threshold to receive pension credit.
“These people are already barely able to make ends meet, this move effectively wipes out any benefit they receive from the triple lock increase on the state pension.
“We seriously believe the Chancellor has underestimated the harm her decision will cause to older people still struggling with energy costs, and facing higher rates in October.
“It is absolutely shocking that the new Labour government should treat older, vulnerable people in this manner.
“The triple lock alone will not enable them to keep up with energy bills.
“Once again, the millions just above the very low pension credit limit of £218.15 per week, if you’re single or £332.95 if you’re a couple, will lose out and the charities estimate that an extra two million older people will have to juggle heating and eating this coming winter if this policy is not reversed. Almost anyone with a small private pension will lose hundreds of pounds of energy support.”
Cutting support this winter with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong decision.
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
